❓ Hon. Alanna Clohesy questions the Minister for Commerce regarding the scope of presumptive cancer laws for firefighters, specifically if they include Department of Parks and Wildlife personnel and volunteers. The Minister clarifies the legislation's current focus on career firefighters and ongoing exploration of options for volunteers.
AnsweredQoN 397Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
FIREFIGHTERS — PRESUMPTIVE LAWS
397. Hon ALANNA CLOHESY to the Minister for Commerce:
I refer to the recent introduction
into the Legislative Assembly of the so-called presumptive laws for
firefighters who contract cancer.
(1) Is it the
government's intention that this legislation will cover personnel paid
by the Department of Parks and Wildlife who are employed as firefighters?
(2) If not, why
not?
(3) In the light
of the government's election promise, can the Minister for Emergency Services
advise what are the government's intentions in relation to legislation
covering volunteers?
397. Hon ALANNA CLOHESY to the Minister for Commerce:
I refer to the recent introduction
into the Legislative Assembly of the so-called presumptive laws for
firefighters who contract cancer.
(1) Is it the
government's intention that this legislation will cover personnel paid
by the Department of Parks and Wildlife who are employed as firefighters?
(2) If not, why
not?
(3) In the light
of the government's election promise, can the Minister for Emergency Services
advise what are the government's intentions in relation to legislation
covering volunteers?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of this question.
(1) No. The
Workers' Compensation and Injury Management Amendment Bill 2013 will
apply to a worker who is a member or officer of a permanent fire brigade
established under the Fire Brigades Act 1942. As such, the bill does not cover
personnel employed by the Department of Parks and Wildlife as firefighters.
(2) The
national and international scientific evidence on which the proposed
presumptive laws are based relates to the association between the accumulated
exposure to carcinogens in structural and chemical fires and the increased
incidence of certain cancers in professional firefighters only.
(3) The
Workers' Compensation and Injury Management Amendment Bill 2013 will
implement the first stage of the firefighter and emergency services volunteer
support package announced by the Premier, and applies to career firefighters.
The government is continuing to explore options with regard to volunteer
firefighters.
of this question.
(1) No. The
Workers' Compensation and Injury Management Amendment Bill 2013 will
apply to a worker who is a member or officer of a permanent fire brigade
established under the Fire Brigades Act 1942. As such, the bill does not cover
personnel employed by the Department of Parks and Wildlife as firefighters.
(2) The
national and international scientific evidence on which the proposed
presumptive laws are based relates to the association between the accumulated
exposure to carcinogens in structural and chemical fires and the increased
incidence of certain cancers in professional firefighters only.
(3) The
Workers' Compensation and Injury Management Amendment Bill 2013 will
implement the first stage of the firefighter and emergency services volunteer
support package announced by the Premier, and applies to career firefighters.
The government is continuing to explore options with regard to volunteer
firefighters.
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